COVID-19 Update: Vaccine Reminders and Updates

This month vaccine manufacturers are expected to produce nearly three times as many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as last month. By early summer, it is anticipated there will be enough vaccine for every adult in the country. This is a major boon to our nationwide vaccination campaign and a promising sign for those who have been waiting patiently to receive their inoculation or become eligible.

With production accelerating, supplies increasing, and vaccination centers expanding, many states have announced that additional populations are now eligible to receive the vaccine based on age, health, or occupation. Some states have even indicated the date when all adults will be eligible for vaccination. For the latest updates from your jurisdiction, we encourage you to visit your state or local health department website regularly. Your health department may have tools to assist you with identifying where you fall in their vaccine rollout, locating vaccination clinics, and making an appointment. Depending on your location, you also may be able to register for alerts and pre-register for vaccination.

The Smithsonian will continue to pursue its own supply of vaccines for our employees; however, this effort is ongoing, and the Institution does not have any of its own doses yet. Do not wait to be vaccinated through the Smithsonian. Instead, please plan to go through your state or local health department. We encourage anyone able to be vaccinated to get vaccinated wherever they can with whichever vaccine is offered. All three FDA-authorized vaccines are effective, and the best vaccine is the one you can get.

Once vaccinated, Smithsonian employees and volunteers are encouraged to send a copy of their vaccination card to Occupational Health Services’ (OHS) at OHS-MedicalReview@si.edu after their final dose. Continue to follow our on-site safety protocols, including answering the daily health screening questions before reporting to the workplace, wearing a face covering, and practicing social distancing. Even though you yourself are well-protected after being fully vaccinated, the on-site guidelines ensure you are protecting others.

Many of us are looking forward to reopening our museums to the public and embracing our “new normal.” Smithsonian leadership, the COVID-19 Response Team, and the Reopening Task Force continue to carefully monitor health data and guidance from local governments, public health officials, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of our decision making. We have not set a date to move forward with the reopening of our museums and the National Zoo, but when we do determine the time is right to proceed, we will communicate that with you. Rest assured, when we move forward, we will do so cautiously and with all the necessary safeguards in place.

Thank you again for your patience as access to vaccines expands. There is great demand for more information on this topic, and we will continue to provide regular updates and address frequently asked questions on the COVID-19 website. Should you have immediate questions or concerns, please email the COVID-19 Response Team. Thank you for your continued dedication to keeping our community safe.

Stay safe and be well,

COVID-19 Response Team
si-coronavirusinfo@si.edu

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